You've been tasked with the decision to run your school's fundraisers for the year, Now what?
The key to launching a successful fundraiser initiative is to layout your goals. Are you trying to save your school's art program? Want better recreational equipment? Or maybe new text books? Find out how much it will cost to keep these things in your school. With a hard number it's easy to put everything else in perspective.
Next is to get organized. Take a look at your school year to see what types of events you can orchestrate and how many parents you can get involved. Our recommendation is to have a good mix so that parents don't get fundraising fatigue. Auctions work well and can be big money makers but they require a huge volunteer effort so it's best to only have a few smaller fundraisers after. The Picateers portrait fundraiser is always great to have when schools do large events because it takes little effort and offers big rewards, it's the fundraiser without fundraising.
You'll want to have enough space in between fundraisers so you can accurately publicize your event(s). Good awareness can mean the difference between hundreds and thousands of dollars raised.
Most importantly, have fun! Choose fundraisers that are safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Organizing Your School Fundraisers
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3 comments:
I so agree with you when you mentioned to choose fund raising projects that are safe and enjoyable. Usually, the most common project would be selling some goodies like candies or cookies, or any sweets. I also suggest that schools should try other activities like sportsfest and at the same time, this can be a fund raising sportsfest activity. Just choose the appropriate project that you think people would love and enjoy doing. Planning ahead would do a lot f help to avoid failure.
Great point Erika, I think it's important to realize that there alternatives out there that can be fun, safe and still raise funds.
In a few years, we will look back on our current public school fundraising system and smack our collective forehead, like we do about cigarette vending machines. We turn kids into magazine and chocolate sales reps armed with a 400-500% markup on their products and no incentive other than the promise of a cheap stereo if they sale the equivalent of an entire habitat or factory. The buyers (donors) end up giving the chocolate back to the children, who statistically consume too much fat and sugar already, or they throw away the magazines without reading them. Schools comprised of students from affluent families generate more money than those in lower-income areas—the schools that need it the most. Wealthy schools become wealthier; struggling schools become more resentful of the former.
Refrigerator Saver is changing the stupidity. A simple, thermometer-size device installed (placed) in refrigerators saves families money, conserves energy, and raises money for schools—all online and anonymous, so no one has to be pressured into buying useless goods (ironic term, they’re not good for anyone except the manufacturer) that hurt them and the planet. The education fundraising revolution is outlined on Refrigerator Saver's website.
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